LDP's Shinjiro Koizumi says he would use dual surname system

Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Shinjiro Koizumi, who made headlines recently by announcing his marriage with television anchor Christel Takigawa, stressed on Monday his eagerness to work for the introduction in the country of a dual surname system for married couples.

If there were an established system in Japan allowing married couples to use separate surnames, “I may use (it),” said Koizumi, head of the LDP’s Health, Labor and Welfare Division, at a meeting of young entrepreneurs in Tokyo.

“It would be desirable for such a system to be offered as an option, as we both work in society and think about the happiness of our own selves and family,” he said, referring to his personal situation.

“Some people oppose even the addition of a new option,” Koizumi said, highlighting the strong objections that exist in the nation to adopting a dual surname system.

“I want to change the current situation in Japan, in which things don’t get going” even though both conventional and new options are available.

Koizumi, 38, one of the sons of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, announced last month his marriage with Takigawa, 41, who is widely known for her work and for using the term omotenashi, or hospitality, during her 2013 presentation for Tokyo’s bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.